Published: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.

Howard Middle School teacher Tim Jones, known for instilling the love of learning in his students, was named Marion County's 2013 Teacher of the Year on Friday.

"Wow," Jones said as he received a standing ovation from a packed crowd at the conclusion of the 23rd annual Golden Apple awards gala. "I am going to be honest with you. I didn't prepare a speech because I did not think I was going to win."

Jones — who teaches civics and ancient civilizations courses — also received a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta from BMW/VW/Porsche of Ocala. It was the first time a winning teacher received such a prize.

After issuing thanks to many, including the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, which holds the event annually, Jones said: "I would also like to thank Volkswagen," as he held an oversized key to his new car and the crowd laughed.

It was the second year in a row that the event was held at Ocala Hilton. It was also the second year in a row that a Howard Middle teacher won the honor. Chorus teacher Melissa Bumbach won in 2012.

More than 400 people gathered in the lobby and along hallways for light snacks and drinks. The two-hour gala also featured the Women's Ensemble chorus from West Port High School. West Port's jazz band played during dinner before the ceremony.

All five nominees gave uplifting, poignant and humorous speeches. Each nominee was introduced by one of their students.

The theme of Jones' speech was that apples come from the seeds of knowledge. And educators are what he called "Johnny Appleseeds."

Jones mentioned his mother, also an educator, and one of his former teachers as his seeds of knowledge to teach. Jones said his passion is teaching environmental geography.

"The seeds of knowledge that we plant within the minds of our students are unpredictable as to what will actually take root and grow," he noted.

Jones added that when the seed of an apple is planted, there is no guarantee that exact genetic copies of those apples will be produced. That, he continued, is the perfect metaphor.

"Our students may exhibit ‘sweetness' in their often thoughtful work," he noted. "Or maybe the result is some ‘bitterness' because we will not accept mediocrity."

Jones said these Johnny Appleseed teachers may sit down at the end of a long week and enjoy an "occasional" glass of hard apple cider.

"But in the end, what matters most is that they (the students) are left with a thirst of knowledge," Jones noted.

Superintendent of Schools George Tomyn, who was elected in November, kicked off the event, recounting his time in elementary school in the early 1960s.

He noted that there was no education foundation to recognize teachers back on those days.

"But times have changed," he said, sharing with the crowd about the many important roles the foundation serves Marion County Public Schools.

Last week, officials honored 2013 Rookie of the Year Randy Hauck, an English teacher at Belleview Middle School. Hauck received the signature red apple trophy during a surprise visit to his school on Jan. 30. A rookie teacher is one with three or fewer years of experience.

Two committees narrowed the lists of rookie and veteran teachers to about a dozen each. Several of those were observed in the classroom. The committees then chose the winners.

Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.

<p>Howard Middle School teacher Tim Jones, known for instilling the love of learning in his students, was named Marion County's 2013 Teacher of the Year on Friday.</p><p>"Wow," Jones said as he received a standing ovation from a packed crowd at the conclusion of the 23rd annual Golden Apple awards gala. "I am going to be honest with you. I didn't prepare a speech because I did not think I was going to win."</p><p>Jones — who teaches civics and ancient civilizations courses — also received a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta from BMW/VW/Porsche of Ocala. It was the first time a winning teacher received such a prize.</p><p>After issuing thanks to many, including the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, which holds the event annually, Jones said: "I would also like to thank Volkswagen," as he held an oversized key to his new car and the crowd laughed.</p><p>It was the second year in a row that the event was held at Ocala Hilton. It was also the second year in a row that a Howard Middle teacher won the honor. Chorus teacher Melissa Bumbach won in 2012.</p><p>More than 400 people gathered in the lobby and along hallways for light snacks and drinks. The two-hour gala also featured the Women's Ensemble chorus from West Port High School. West Port's jazz band played during dinner before the ceremony.</p><p>School district spokesman Kevin Christian and Foundation Executive Director Judi Zaneti introduced the nearly 100 veteran and rookie nominees.</p><p>Besides Jones, the other four veteran finalists were Dana Knight Andrews, a Shady Hill Elementary kindergarten teacher; Bob Ayton, the Dunnellon High science department chair; Judith Dominguez, a Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks science teacher; and Karen Morrison, a Dr. N.H. Jones physical education teacher.</p><p>All five nominees gave uplifting, poignant and humorous speeches. Each nominee was introduced by one of their students.</p><p>The theme of Jones' speech was that apples come from the seeds of knowledge. And educators are what he called "Johnny Appleseeds."</p><p>Jones mentioned his mother, also an educator, and one of his former teachers as his seeds of knowledge to teach. Jones said his passion is teaching environmental geography.</p><p>"The seeds of knowledge that we plant within the minds of our students are unpredictable as to what will actually take root and grow," he noted.</p><p>Jones added that when the seed of an apple is planted, there is no guarantee that exact genetic copies of those apples will be produced. That, he continued, is the perfect metaphor.</p><p>"Our students may exhibit 'sweetness' in their often thoughtful work," he noted. "Or maybe the result is some 'bitterness' because we will not accept mediocrity."</p><p>Jones said these Johnny Appleseed teachers may sit down at the end of a long week and enjoy an "occasional" glass of hard apple cider.</p><p>"But in the end, what matters most is that they (the students) are left with a thirst of knowledge," Jones noted.</p><p>Superintendent of Schools George Tomyn, who was elected in November, kicked off the event, recounting his time in elementary school in the early 1960s.</p><p>He noted that there was no education foundation to recognize teachers back on those days.</p><p>"But times have changed," he said, sharing with the crowd about the many important roles the foundation serves Marion County Public Schools.</p><p>Last week, officials honored 2013 Rookie of the Year Randy Hauck, an English teacher at Belleview Middle School. Hauck received the signature red apple trophy during a surprise visit to his school on Jan. 30. A rookie teacher is one with three or fewer years of experience.</p><p>Two committees narrowed the lists of rookie and veteran teachers to about a dozen each. Several of those were observed in the classroom. The committees then chose the winners.</p><p><i>Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.</i></p>